By Shymal Kumar
Aamir Khan recently teamed up with the cast and crew of Lagaan to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the epic drama that left an enduring legacy in Indian cinema. Lagaan set the bar incredibly high for Bollywood. It was not only the plot, but also the acting, the dialogues and, of course, the unforgettable songs by musical genius A. R. Rahman.
Watching it as a 10-year-old boy in Fiji inspired me in countless ways. The music of Lagaan gave me the feeling that nothing is impossible and that I could achieve whatever I wanted. It was four hours of my life spent doing something truly worthwhile. As a curious child, I wondered why Aamir Khan was speaking in our language, Fiji Hindi.
In Lagaan, the characters spoke in Awadhi, which is strikingly similar to Fiji Hindi. I thought perhaps someone from Fiji had made the film and had Aamir Khan speak in my mother tongue. That alone made me and many other Indo-Fijians relate deeply to the film, especially given that, like the villagers in Lagaan, we share a history shaped by British colonisation.
While romance, comedy and family dramas were dominating the box office, Lagaan proved to be a game-changer for Indian cinema, giving the biggest studios a run for their money. Although it featured a love triangle—a common Bollywood trope since the late 1990s—its truly unique premise centred on a young farmer who challenged the British to a game of cricket, with three years of lagaan (land tax) at stake. If the villagers won, the tax would be forgiven.
Ashutosh Gowariker conceived the idea of a period sports drama at a time when producers heavily relied on love stories and comedies. Despite repeated rejections and pressure to compromise on his vision, he refused to give up. The concept impressed Aamir Khan so much that he decided to produce the film, taking his career in a bold new direction.
While Gowariker displayed his brilliance as a director, it was equally inspiring to see him collaborate with the legendary A. R. Rahman, arguably India’s greatest musical gift to the world. “Ghanan Ghanan”, capturing the villagers’ desperate longing for rain, remains deeply moving. The melody of “Mitwa” inspired not only the village cricket team but audiences for years after the film’s release, reminding us that even the greatest underdogs can defeat giants.
The cast deserves equal credit for the film’s success. Aamir Khan’s performance in Lagaan surpasses that of almost every film released during the past quarter-century. Based on his work in Lagaan alone, he truly earned the title of “Mr Perfectionist”. Gracy Singh also delivered a marvellous performance as Gauri, Bhuvan’s devoted love interest.
British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne brought authenticity to the story through their portrayals of the Russell siblings. Paul Blackthorne’s Captain Russell was a villain audiences loved to hate. His ability to speak the language of the people he colonised made the character even more menacing. Gowariker ensured that Captain Russell tormented audiences throughout the four-hour film, just as he tormented the people of Champaner.
Lagaan became a unifying force for a nation of more than a billion people. It conveyed a timeless message: people from diverse backgrounds can come together to overcome their greatest challenges. Just as rugby is almost a religion in Fiji, cricket occupies a similar place in India’s cultural identity. The film also became a source of pride for the Indian diaspora. Just as people would tell a Brazilian, “You’re from Brazil? I love Ronaldo—he’s a great footballer,” many Indians abroad likely heard, “You’re from India? I loved Lagaan.”
Then came the most heartbreaking moment—the film’s defeat at the 74th Academy Awards. In my opinion, it remains one of the greatest disappointments in Oscar history. Nevertheless, the loss did nothing to diminish the extraordinary work of its cast and crew.
Three years later, Gowariker released Swades, another remarkable film celebrating pride, patriotism and progress. While it has since become a cult classic, it could not replicate the phenomenal success of Lagaan.
On one side, we have Lagaan; on the other, we have high-budget, formulaic films inspired by Hollywood, packed with ensemble casts and remixed Hindi songs. Bollywood needs more films like Lagaan and fewer disposable blockbusters.
As the old man says during the film’s climax, “Ummid nahi thi ki yeh din dekhna padega” (“I never thought I would live to see this day”). I hope one day Bollywood produces a film that surpasses Lagaan, so that I too can say those words.
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